Question 1

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion does, the contribution it makes, such as binding a society together, is what kind of definition of religion?

Accepted Answer

A)   Substantive
B)   Supernaturally inclined
C)   Functional
D)   Close-minded
E)   None of the above

Question 2

Talcott Parsons built on Durkheim's insistence on the continuity of religion and suggested that though the intellectual ambition of religious beliefs diminished in modern society, the individual still needed the moral, spiritual, and metaphysical answers provided by religion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion is, and limits the label of religion to a system of beliefs and practices that have a particular content, usually a god or a supernatural force, is what kind of definition of religion?

Accepted Answer

A)   Substantive
B)   Supernaturally inclined
C)   Functional
D)   Close-minded
E)   None of the above

Question 4

What does 'expressive individualism' refer to?

Accepted Answer

A)   The universal right of freedom of expression granted to American citizens.
B)   The increased emphasis since the 1960's on the pursuit of a free, gratified and fulfilled self.
C)   The possibility for individuals to belong to an infinite number of social organizations, even ones with conflicting value systems, without sanction.
D)   A style of religious practice that focuses on fundamental religious expressions, such as speaking in tongues.
E)   None of the above

Question 5

What is meant by the term 'self-spirituality'?

Accepted Answer

A)   The central belief shared by all New Agers that the Self itself is sacred.
B)   The way in which spirituality has become separated from any particular religious doctrine.
C)   The belief that each individual is capable of rising to an elusive spiritual state through concentrated self-understanding.
D)   The increasing trend in religion to practice individually and at home, rather than attending religious events and services.
E)   All of the above A

Question 6

There is straightforward empirical evidence that supports the theory that religion is in a decline in American society.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

What is meant by 'culture wars'?

Accepted Answer

A)   The way in which different religions fight against each other to gain members and funds.
B)   The tensions over religious and secular values that have emerged particularly as more effort is made to separate church and state.
C)   The efforts of conservative Christian churches to stop the increase of mass media and modernization.
D)   The tendency of individuals to prioritize and sacralize their culture as superior to all others.
E)   None of the above

Question 8

The loss of shared norms and values and a lack of cohesion in society might be called:

Accepted Answer

A)   Demoralization
B)   Anomie
C)   Postmodern listlessness
D)   Wanderlust
E)   None of the above

Question 9

What functions does a civil religion serve?

Accepted Answer

A)   It facilitates widespread acceptance by a people of their sense of their nation's history and identity.
B)   It relates a society to a realm of absolute meaning-the sacred.
C)   It provides a vision which ties the nation together as an integrated whole.
D)   It provides beliefs, values, rites, ceremonies and symbols that give sacred meaning to the life of the community.
E)   All of the above E

Question 10

'New Age' is an umbrella term covering a mix of beliefs, practices and ways of life.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

What is the 'deprivatization of religion'?

Accepted Answer

A)   The process by which religion has re-emerged in the public sphere.
B)   The way in which religious beliefs are no longer personal preferences alone, but become the topic of public argument.
C)   The process by which public matters have become remoralized.
D)   A reversal of the trend of differentiation.
E)   All of the above

Question 12

To another social theorist, the development of religion was often influenced by the needs of a particular social group that became its main carrier. In modernity, religion itself was no longer needed by the economy or other social institutions as they developed their own rational systems of thought. Which social theorist was this?

Accepted Answer

A)   Emile Durkheim
B)   Max Weber
C)   Karl Marx
D)   Georg Simmel
E)   None of the above

Question 13

What is meant by dedifferentiation?

Accepted Answer

A)   The ways in which religious practices are more and more universal as a result of globalization.
B)   The breakdown in barriers which once strongly separated Christianity and Islam.
C)   The revival of more totalizing brands of religion that demand religious concerns and influences are given recognition in all aspects of life.
D)   The increase of Conservative Protestantism in the United States that has eroded the separation of church and state.
E)   All of the above C

Question 14

To one social theorist, the form and function of religion was determined by the structure of the economic relations. Religion served as an ideology that disguised the exploitative nature of capitalism. But just as capitalism would inevitably end, so too would religion. Which social theorist was this?

Accepted Answer

A)   Emile Durkheim
B)   Max Weber
C)   Karl Marx
D)   Georg Simmel
E)   None of the above

Question 15

The development of mass media has had a significant effect on religion.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The secularization thesis argued that religion would decline in social significance as an inevitable consequence of postmodernity and the increase of technology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In the sociology of religion, there has been much debate and discussion about the role of religion in society. Some theorists have argued (and do argue)  that religion is diminishing in importance and practice. This theory can broadly be referred to as:

Accepted Answer

A)   Unreligiosity theory
B)   Desacralization theory
C)   Secularization theory
D)   There is no such theory. Empirical evidence strongly shows that religion is on the increase around the world, and consistently has been.
E)   None of the above

Question 18

To another social theorist, there was something eternal about religion because it served an essential social function-a shared sense of identity and sacred symbols. Even in modern societies, there would still be a need for sacred symbols. Which social theorist was this?

Accepted Answer

A)   Emile Durkheim
B)   Max Weber
C)   Karl Marx
D)   Georg Simmel
E)   None of the above

Question 19

According to Chapter 15, what has ethnographic research contributed to the sociology of religion?

Accepted Answer

A)   An enriched understanding of contemporary religion and spiritual experience.
B)   An insight into the ways in which religion is centrally concerned with the construction of identity.
C)   New insights into modernization and secularization theories.
D)   Both a and b, but not c
E)   None of the above

Question 20

The fastest growing religious category in the United States today is:

Accepted Answer

A)   Muslim.
B)   Catholic.
C)   Those who state they have no religious affiliation.
D)   None of the above.

Exam 15: Religion

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion does, the contribution it makes, such as binding a society together, is what kind of definition of religion?

Correct Answer
verified

Talcott Parsons built on Durkheim's insistence on the continuity of religion and suggested that though the intellectual ambition of religious beliefs diminished in modern society, the individual still needed the moral, spiritual, and metaphysical answers provided by religion.

Correct Answer
verified

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion is, and limits the label of religion to a system of beliefs and practices that have a particular content, usually a god or a supernatural force, is what kind of definition of religion?

Correct Answer
verified

What does 'expressive individualism' refer to?

Correct Answer
verified

What is meant by the term 'self-spirituality'?

Correct Answer
verified
A

There is straightforward empirical evidence that supports the theory that religion is in a decline in American society.

Correct Answer
verified

What is meant by 'culture wars'?

Correct Answer
verified

The loss of shared norms and values and a lack of cohesion in society might be called:

Correct Answer
verified

What functions does a civil religion serve?

Correct Answer
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E

'New Age' is an umbrella term covering a mix of beliefs, practices and ways of life.

Correct Answer
verified

What is the 'deprivatization of religion'?

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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What is meant by dedifferentiation?

Correct Answer
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C

Correct Answer
verified

The development of mass media has had a significant effect on religion.

Correct Answer
verified

The secularization thesis argued that religion would decline in social significance as an inevitable consequence of postmodernity and the increase of technology.

Correct Answer
verified

In the sociology of religion, there has been much debate and discussion about the role of religion in society. Some theorists have argued (and do argue) that religion is diminishing in importance and practice. This theory can broadly be referred to as:

Correct Answer
verified

To another social theorist, there was something eternal about religion because it served an essential social function-a shared sense of identity and sacred symbols. Even in modern societies, there would still be a need for sacred symbols. Which social theorist was this?

Correct Answer
verified

According to Chapter 15, what has ethnographic research contributed to the sociology of religion?

Correct Answer
verified

The fastest growing religious category in the United States today is:

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 15: Religion

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion does, the contribution it makes, such as binding a society together, is what kind of definition of religion?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Talcott Parsons built on Durkheim's insistence on the continuity of religion and suggested that though the intellectual ambition of religious beliefs diminished in modern society, the individual still needed the moral, spiritual, and metaphysical answers provided by religion.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A definition of religion that focuses on what religion is, and limits the label of religion to a system of beliefs and practices that have a particular content, usually a god or a supernatural force, is what kind of definition of religion?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What does 'expressive individualism' refer to?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is meant by the term 'self-spirituality'?

Correct AnswerverifiedA

There is straightforward empirical evidence that supports the theory that religion is in a decline in American society.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is meant by 'culture wars'?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The loss of shared norms and values and a lack of cohesion in society might be called:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What functions does a civil religion serve?

Correct AnswerverifiedE

'New Age' is an umbrella term covering a mix of beliefs, practices and ways of life.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the 'deprivatization of religion'?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is meant by dedifferentiation?

Correct AnswerverifiedC

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The development of mass media has had a significant effect on religion.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The secularization thesis argued that religion would decline in social significance as an inevitable consequence of postmodernity and the increase of technology.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

In the sociology of religion, there has been much debate and discussion about the role of religion in society. Some theorists have argued (and do argue) that religion is diminishing in importance and practice. This theory can broadly be referred to as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

To another social theorist, there was something eternal about religion because it served an essential social function-a shared sense of identity and sacred symbols. Even in modern societies, there would still be a need for sacred symbols. Which social theorist was this?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

According to Chapter 15, what has ethnographic research contributed to the sociology of religion?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The fastest growing religious category in the United States today is:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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A

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E

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C

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